T Shirt is a 1976 album by Loudon Wainwright III. Unlike his earlier records, this (and the subsequent 'Final Exam') saw Wainwright adopt a full blown rock band (Slowtrain) - though there are acoustic songs on T-Shirt, including a talking blues. Nevertheless it had the misfortune to arrive on the scene at the same time as punk rock, making it immediately dated in the eyes of many critics. According to Wainwright on the 2006 CD liner notes, it received a scathing review from Rolling Stone Magazine which depressed him so much he stayed in bed for five days. By the early 1990's he disowned the album in a radio interview broadcast in Australia. However, by the time of the CD remaster (which included Final Exam) he admitted to a much more sympathetic view of the album(s).

Track listing

All tracks composed by Loudon Wainwright III; except where indicated

"Bicentennial"

"Summer's Almost Over"

"Hollywood Hopeful"

"Reciprocity"

"At Both Ends"

"Wine with Dinner"

"Hey Packy" (George Gerdes)

"California Prison Blues"

"Talking Big Apple '75"

"Prince Hal's Dirge"

"Just Like President Thieu"

"Wine with Dinner (Night Cap)"

Personnel

Loudon Wainwright III - guitar, vocals

Richard Davis - bass

Hank Jones - keyboards

David Sanborn - saxophone

Marvin Stamm - horn

Jimmy Maelen - conductor

Elliott Randall - guitar

David Taylor - trombone

Eric Weissberg - banjo

Charlie Brown - guitar

Jeanie Arnold - vocals

Jon Cobert - vocals

Joe Cocuzzo - drums

Kenny Kosek - violin

Richard Crooks - drums

John Crowder - bass

Ron Getman - steel guitar

Don Hammond - recorder

Peter Labarbera - background vocals

John Lissauer - clarinet

George Marge - recorder

Irwin "Marky" Markowitz - horn

Charlie Messing - guitar, vocals

Gwynne Michaels - vocals

Glen Mitchell - keyboards, vocals

Paul Prestopino, Maggie & Terre Roche - vocals

Christie Thompson - vocals

Stephen Tubin - keyboards

Joanne Vent - vocals

Release history

LP: Arista AL4063 (U.S.)

LP: Arista RTY127 (UK)

References

"Prince Hals Dirge" is a reference to Henry IV, Part II by Shakespeare